Detection of viral markers

 Detection of viral markers

HbsAg : 

• Specific marker. it is 1st marker to appear in blood after infection. When ani HbsAg appears, it indicates protection.

(Hepatitis B surface antigen) - 

• A "positive" or "reactive" HBsAg test result means that the person is infected with hepatitis B. This test can detect the actual presence of the hepatitis B virus (called the “surface antigen”) in your blood. If a person tests “positive,” then further testing is needed to determine if this is a new “acute” infection or a “chronic” hepatitis B infection. A positive HBsAg test result means that you are infected and can spread the hepatitis B virus to others through your blood.

HbeAg : 

• HBeAg is the “soluble” or extractable part of the “core” antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The presence of HBeAg indicates that the virus is actively multiplying and is highly contagious. 
• HBeAg appears in the blood shortly after HBsAg. It stays in the blood for about 3 to 6 weeks after the acute (symptomatic) phase of the disease and may persist for a long time or reappear in the case of active chronic hepatitis. 
• Therefore, the HBeAg test is most often used to indicate the level of contagiousness. It is also useful in monitoring the efficacy of a treatment. A positive (reactive) HBeAg result combined with a negative (non-reactive) anti-HBe result confirms a high degree of contagiousness. 
• When the anti-HBe is also reactive, this means the individual is in the process of healing and is less contagious.
• If present in serum, patient is considered highly infectious 

HbcAg : 

• Not detected in serum. Anti Hbc antibody appear later on & is indicator of prior infection with HBV
• Serum hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) was investigated in 85 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection using a modified radioimmunoassay technique, based on high molarity treatment of samples to avoid masking of the antigen by the excess homologous antibody. 
• Eighty-eight percent of HBeAg-positive cases and 19% of anti-HBe-positive cases were HBcAg positive in serum, with a positive correlation with the presence of HBcAg in the liver. 
• Although the sensitivity of the method for the presence of complete virions was not absolute, as shown by the comparison with serum HBV-DNA testing, this technique may be helpful for assessing virus synthesis in patients with HBV infection.